The Champions League semifinal between Füchse Berlin and HBC Nantes was barely ten minutes old when the world’s best player, Mathias Gidsel, received a red card. But that didn’t stop Berlin – they triumphed 34–24 and secured their spot in the final.
The first of two Final Four semifinals kicked off at a furious pace. Berlin, led by Danes Mathias Gidsel and Lasse Andersson, pushed the tempo while Nantes tried to keep up. It paid off early: Berlin led 6–3 just over five minutes in.
However, fate intervened. In attempting a sliding defensive tackle on Nantes’ Kauldi Odriozola, Gidsel slipped and committed a harsh challenge. Referees reviewed the incident and dismissed Berlin’s star just after the 8-minute mark.
Faced with the loss of their key player, Berlin seemed shaky at first. Fabian Wiede stepped in at right back, and the team appeared stunned. But instead of collapsing, they responded with one of their most impressive halves of the season.
The 6–3 deficit turned into an 18–12 lead by halftime, thanks to standout performances from Lasse Andersson (4 goals), Tim Freihöfer (5 goals on 5 attempts), and Dejan Milosavljev (9 saves, 42% save rate), with Max Darj anchoring an aggressive defense.
Nantes continued to play well, but missed too many good chances. Their back court players – Julien Bos (3/7), Aymeric Minne (2/6), and Thibaud Briet (1/3) – were surprisingly off their games.
In the second half, one might have expected Nantes to strike back – but Berlin maintained control. The intensity dropped, but Berlin stayed strong, bolstered by Milosavljev’s sharp goalkeeping. Ultimately, Berlin coasted to a 34–24 victory.
The red card may have been a blessing in disguise – letting Gidsel rest, and allowing other players to step up. Berlin will now face either SC Magdeburg or Barcelona in the final.